Proxmark3 Easy¶

Thank you for your Proxmark3 Easy purchase from PhreakBoutique and DC207! The Proxmark3 is the go-to tool for RFID and NFC research. It can read, write, sniff and emulate a huge range of low-frequency (125 kHz) and high-frequency (13.56 MHz) tags.

What you've got¶

Your Proxmark3 Easy comes flashed with the Iceman firmware (RfidResearchGroup). It's the actively developed version of the Proxmark3 software, with far more features and supported tags than the original. You use it from your computer with the matching Iceman client.

Use the Iceman client, not the old one

Older guides point to the original proxmark/proxmark3 repository. That client won't work properly with your device's firmware, so stick with the RfidResearchGroup (Iceman) builds below.

1. Install the client¶

WindowsmacOSLinux

The easiest route is a ready-made build. No compiling needed.

Go to proxmarkbuilds.org and download the RRG / Iceman generic build (non-RDV4). It's the one for the Proxmark3 Easy, RDV1–RDV3, and similar devices.
Extract it with 7-Zip to a folder with no spaces in the path, for example C:\pm3.
Plug in your Proxmark3 with a micro-USB data cable. Windows 10 and 11 recognize it automatically as a COM port, with no driver needed.
Run the client launcher in the extracted folder (pm3.bat).

Prefer to build it yourself? Iceman's Windows instructions cover ProxSpace and WSL.

Install with Homebrew, using the generic (non-RDV4) build for the Easy:

brew tap RfidResearchGroup/proxmark3
brew install --with-generic proxmark3

Plug in your Proxmark3 and run:

pm3

Build from source. Install the dependencies for your distro, then:

git clone https://github.com/RfidResearchGroup/proxmark3.git
cd proxmark3
cp Makefile.platform.sample Makefile.platform

Edit Makefile.platform and set PLATFORM=PM3GENERIC (this is important for the Easy), then build and run it:

make clean && make -j
./pm3

2. Your first commands¶

When the client connects, you'll see the [usb] pm3 --> prompt. Try these:

Command	What it does
`hw version`	Shows the firmware and client versions. Check that they match.
`hw tune`	Checks your LF and HF antennas
`auto`	Place a tag on the device and let it identify it
`lf search`	Searches for a low-frequency (125 kHz) tag, like most building badges
`hf search`	Searches for a high-frequency (13.56 MHz) tag, like MIFARE or NFC cards
`help`	Lists everything. Add `-h` to any command for details.

The Easy has separate LF and HF antenna areas on the board. If a tag isn't detected, move it around and try both.

For more, see Iceman's command cheat sheet and the project documentation.

3. Keeping the firmware and client in sync¶

The Iceman client and firmware are developed together, so they should come from the same version. If hw version or the startup banner warns about a mismatch, flash the firmware that came with your client:

Windows (proxmarkbuilds)macOS / Linux

Run the flash scripts in the extracted folder: bootrom first, then fullimage.

pm3-flash-all        # or ./pm3-flash-all when built from source

If flashing fails or the device isn't detected

Unplug the Proxmark3, hold its button while plugging it back in, and release the button once two of the four LEDs stay lit. It's now in bootloader mode. Run the flash again.

Handle with care¶

The Proxmark3 is a professional tool with an enormous range of capabilities. Explore and experiment freely, but only on your own tags and cards. See Use it responsibly.

Need help?¶

If you hit an issue or need help with a specific feature, reach out. We're always here to help.

Thank you again for your order! Your support helps us run programs like DC207 that serve the wider hacking community. Enjoy exploring RFID and NFC.